The Shadow Housing Minister blasted Government yesterday for its "last desperate measure" in trying to ease the chronic affordable housing shortage by bringing in prefabricated homes.

Three, three-bedroom homes have been brought in for the last three weeks from Florida sources at Hamilton's dock said yesterday.

"I am very concerned that Government had to take this last desperate measure," Shadow Minister Wayne Furbert said. "However, I am grateful as well at least it will be a step up for those people who so often hear about who are living in trees or cars.

The Opposition Deputy Leader also said he hoped the homes were just temporary.

"It points out Government's failed housing policy," he said. "If Government had planned its programme properly and got ahead with the work then individuals in need would have traditional Bermuda houses to live in."

A spokeswoman from the Ministry of Works and Engineering and Housing said yesterday Housing Minister Ashfield DeVent announced earlier this year Government was bringing in mobile homes.

"As part of Government's Social Agenda, the Ministry's intention is to investigate the option of introducing pre-manufactured homes to address the current housing challenges," she said. "It is understood that the manufactured homes would be three bedroom units and go towards assisting those in need of emergency housing.

"Minister DeVent said that currently, his Ministry, the Department of Planning and the Sustainable Development Commission are in discussions to decide on the most suitable locations, and an announcement on the further progression of this initiative will be forthcoming, she added.

A tractor-trailer driver who has been working out of Hamilton's docks for weeks said three of the prefab homes have been delivered so far.

"They come up with curtains and everything," Charles Barnard said. "I work at the docks and seen at least three complete units come out of there."

He understood the homes are arriving on the Somers Isles and are coming from Florida.

One home was seen being moved east on Middle Road in Smiths on a Sunday evening two weeks ago.

"If the Minister can bring one in why can't I?" he said. "I know people who wanted to do this, but they were told they could not."

It is not known exactly how much wind the new buildings can withstand, but Mr. Barnard was confident it could handle a hurricane. "I know they can withstand the wind," he said. "You just bolt them down."